Sports Training System

ABSTRACT

Sports training systems are provided. A sports training system includes a plurality of support structures. Each of the plurality of support structures includes a base and a support member extending generally along a longitudinal axis from the base. The plurality of support structures includes a first support structure and a second support structure. The sports training system further includes a main training assembly removably connectable to the first support structure and the second support structure. The main training assembly includes a cross-member and an indicator assembly extending from the cross-member. The sports training system further includes at least one auxiliary training assembly removably connectable to one of the plurality of support structures.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to sports training systems, andin particular to systems for training football quarterbacks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Physical activities are an important and popular aspect of life in baththe United States and world-wide. Organized sports are particularlypopular, and due to such popularity, various training apparatus havebeen utilized to train participants and improve their skill levels.

Football, for example, is one of the most popular sports in the UnitedStates. One of the most important skills required for playing footballis precise, coordinated throwing. This is particularly important forparticipants playing the quarterback position. Good throwing skillsallow a player to complete passes to other player, which can in turn beessential to winning a game. Because of the importance of throwingskills, players, especially young players, try to develop and hone theirfootball throwing skills through practice. This practice helps developthe player's throwing skills as well as an understanding of the value oftraining, discipline, perseverance and hard work through practice.

Various apparatus exist for providing training in throwing a football.Presently known training apparatus, however, have a variety ofdrawbacks. For example, in many cases, training apparatus are large andbulky. Transport of such training apparatus is difficult, and anypotential disassembly of such training apparatus requires specific toolsand substantial time and effort. Further, in many cases, trainingapparatus only allow for training of a single participant and in asingle limited skill, such as in a single aspect of throwing.

Accordingly, improved training apparatus, and specifically trainingapparatus for training quarterbacks to throw properly, are desired. Inparticular, training apparatus that is easily disassembled for transportwould be advantageous. Further, training apparatus that allows for thetraining of multiple participants and/or multiple skills wouldparticularly desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

In one embodiment, a sports training system is disclosed. The sportstraining system includes a plurality of support structures. Each of theplurality of support structures includes a base and a support memberextending generally along a longitudinal axis from the base. Theplurality of support structures includes a first support structure and asecond support structure. The sports training system further includes amain training assembly removably connectable to the first supportstructure and the second support structure. The main training assemblyincludes a cross member and an indicator assembly extending from thecross-member. The sports training system further includes at least oneauxiliary training assembly removably connectable to one of theplurality of support structures.

In another embodiment, a sports training system is disclosed. The sportstraining system includes a first support structure, the first supportstructure including a base and a support member extending generallyalong a longitudinal axis from the base, the support member having anadjustable length. The sports training system further includes a secondsupport structure, the second support structure comprising a base and asupport member extending generally along a longitudinal axis from thebase, the support member having an adjustable length. The sportstraining system further includes a main training assembly removablyconnectable to the first support structure and the second supportstructure. The main training assembly includes a cross-member and anindicator assembly extending from the cross-member. The indicatorassembly includes an attachment strip and a plurality of indicatorstrips suspended from the attachment strip.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of components of a sports training system,including support structures and a main training assembly, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front close-up view of a main training assembly inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of components of a sports training system,including a support structure and an auxiliary training assembly, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of components of a sports training system,including a support structure and an auxiliary training assembly, inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of components of a sports training system,including a support structure and an auxiliary training assembly, inaccordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, sports training systems (“systems”)10 are disclosed. A system 10 in accordance with the present disclosureis particularly intended for use in training participants in the skillsof a football quarterback. Advantageously, a system 10 can be used totrain multiple participants in multiple skills. Further, a system 10 canadvantageously be easily assembled and disassembled, and easilytransported when disassembled.

As show, a system 10 includes a plurality of support structures. Theplurality of sports structures may include a first support structure 12and a second support structure 14. Further, three, four, five or moresupport structures may be utilized in a system 10. Each supportstructure may include, for example a base 20 and a support member 22.The support member 22 may extend generally along a longitudinal axis 24from the base 20, such as along the longitudinal axis 24 or withinapproximately 10 degrees, such as approximately 5 degrees, such asapproximately 2 degrees from the longitudinal axis 24.

In exemplary embodiments as illustrated, base 20 includes a plurality ofadjustable legs 30. Each leg 30, for example, may be rotatably connectedto abase sleeve 32. The base sleeve 32 may surround the support member22 and be movable generally along longitudinal axis 24 relative to thesupport member 22. Such movement may adjust the legs 30. Linkage members34 may additionally be included in the base 20, and each linkage member34 may be rotatably connected to a leg 30 and the support member 22.Movement of the base sleeve 32 may cause rotation of the linkage members34, which may in turn cause adjustment of the legs 30. Such adjustmentmay, for example, modify a distance between respective legs 30. Afastener 36, such as a threaded bolt with an exterior handle, may bemanipulated by a user to removably fasten the base sleeve 32 in place ata suitable location, such that the legs 30 are also fixed in place.Manipulation of the fastener 36 to un-fasten the base sleeve 32 mayallow further adjustment of the legs 30.

In other embodiments, legs 30 need not be adjustable. For example, legs30 may be fixidly and non-movably connected to the support member 22. Instill other embodiments, base 20 in general need not include legs, andmay instead for example be a non-adjustable stand to which the supportmember 22 is connected. Support member 22 may, for example, be removablyconnected to base 20, such that the base 20 and support member 22 can beseparated and thus disassembled. Alternatively, base 20 and supportmember 22 may be un-seperable, such as integral components of a supportstructure.

As further illustrated, a length (along the longitudinal axis 24) of asupport member 22 may be adjustable, such as generally along thelongitudinal axis 24. For example, support member 22 may include a firstsection 40 and a second section 42. The first section 40 may beconnected to the base 20 (such as to components thereof as discussedherein), as shown. The second section 42 may be telescopic with respectto the first section 40. For example, the second section 42 may fitwithin the first section 40 and be movable generally along thelongitudinal axis 24 relative to the first section 40. Such movement mayadjust the length of the support member 22 generally and the overallheight of the system 10. A fastener 44 may be manipulated by a user toremovably fasten the second section 42 in place at a suitable locationrelative to the first section 40. Manipulation of the fastener 44 toun-fasten the second section 42 may allow further adjustment of thethereof.

Notably, each support structure may advantageously be adjusted betweenan assembled state for use in training and a disassembled state fortransportation. For example, legs 30 can be adjusted to be relativelyclose in distance to one another, or the base 20 can be removed from thesupport member 22. Second section 42 can be adjusted such that thelength of the support member 22 is at a shortest point, or the secondsection 42 can be removed from the first section.

The support structures, such as the first and second support structures12, 14, can advantageously be utilized to support multiple trainingassemblies which can be utilized for multiple training activities. Inparticular, multiple aspects of throwing a football can be taught usingthe various training assemblies supported by the first and secondsupport structures 12. Further, multiple participants can train in oneor more of these aspects generally simultaneously.

FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, illustrate a main training assembly 50. Themain training assembly 50 is removably connectable to the first supportstructure 12 and the second support structure 14. Main training assembly50 generally includes a cross-member 52 and an indicator assembly 54extending from the cross-member 52. The main training assembly 50 cangenerally be utilized by one or more participants to teach properrelease point when throwing a football. For example, the assembly 50,such as the cross-member 52 thereof, can be set at an appropriate heightfor a participant to throw a football over the cross-member 52 if usinga proper release point. If the release point is too low, the footballwill, rather than travelling over the cross-member 52, either hit thecross-member 52, hit the indicator assembly 54, or travel under theentire assembly 50.

In exemplary embodiments as illustrated, main training assembly 50 maybe removably connectable to the first and second support structures 12,14, such as to the support members 22 thereof. For example, maintraining assembly 50 may include a plurality of sleeves 56 and aplurality of fasteners 58. Sleeves 56 may, for example, be connected tothe ends of the cross-member 52, and may when assembled with the supportstructures 12, 14 generally surround the support members 22 thereof.Further, the sleeves 56 may be movable generally along the longitudinalaxis 24 relative to the support members 22 to adjust a height of themain training assembly 50. A fastener 58 may be manipulated by a user toremovably fasten a sleeve 56 in place at a suitable location along thesupport member 22, such that the connected cross-member 52 is also fixedin place. Manipulation of the fastener 58 to un-fasten the sleeve 56 mayallow further adjustment of the cross-member 52 and main trainingassembly 50 in general.

In some embodiments, cross-member 52 may be a single component. In otherembodiments, cross-member 52 may include one or more sections, such as afirst section 60 and a second section 62 as illustrated. The firstsection 60 may be removably connectable to the first support structure12 (such as via a sleeve 56 and fastener 58) and the second section 62may be removably connectable to the second support structure 14 (such asvia a sleeve 56 and fastener 58). Further, the first section 60 andsecond section 62 may be removably connectable together. For example,the first section 60 may fit within the section section 62 or viceversa, or both the first section 60 and second section 62 may fit withina coupling sleeve 64 which couples the sections 60, 62 together (asillustrated). Further, a removable pin 66 may be insertable through boreholes defined in the first section 60 and second section 62 (as well asthe coupling sleeve 64 in some embodiments) to removably connect thefirst section 60 and second section 62 together. In some embodiments,such as some embodiments wherein the first section 60 fits within thesecond section or vice versa, the first section 60 may further betelescopic relative to the second section 62 or vice versa. In otherembodiments, the first section 60 and second section 62 may have a fixedrelationship when connected, such as when connected via coupling sleeve64.

Indicator assembly 54 in exemplary embodiments includes an attachmentstrip 70 and a plurality of indicator strips 72 suspended from theattachment strip 70. The indicator strips 72 in exemplary embodiments asillustrated may be formed from a suitable plastic, such aspolypropylene. The strips may be generally flexible. Alternatively, anysuitable materials may be utilized as indicator strips 72. For example,strings, chains, rigid plates, etc. may be utilized. The attachmentstrip 70 may attach the indicator strips 72 and assembly 54 in generalto the cross-member 52.

In some embodiments, indicator assembly 54 may be generally permanentlyattached to the cross-member 52. In other embodiments as illustrated,however, the indicator assembly 54 may be removably attachable to thecross-member 52. For example, as illustrated, attachment strip 70 may beformed from a first portion 74 connected to the cross-member 52 and asecond portion 76 connected to the indicator strips 72. First portion 74and second portion 76 may be removably attachable to each other toremovably attach the indicator strips 72 and indicator assembly 54generally to the cross-member 52. First portion 74 and second portion 76may include hooks and loops, respectively, such as Velcro brand hooksand loops, to provide such removable attachment. Alternatively, suitableadhesives or other removably affixable apparatus may be utilized tofacilitate the required removable attachment.

Notably, the main training assembly 50 may advantageously be adjustedbetween an assembled state for use in training and a disassembled statefor transportation. For example, the main training assembly 50 can bedisconnected from the associated support structures, the first andsecond sections 60, 62 of the cross-member 52 can be disconnected, andthe indicator assembly 54 can be detached from the cross-member 52.

Further, the removability of the main training assembly 50 allows forinterchange between the use of the main training assembly 50 and one ormore auxiliary training assemblies. For example, the first supportstructure 12 and/or second support structure 14 may alternately beuseable with main training assembly 50 and one or more auxiliarytraining assemblies. Additionally or alternatively, additional supportstructures may be utilized with auxiliary training assemblies, such thatdifferent aspects of throwing can be trained with multiple participants.

Accordingly, and referring now to FIGS. 3 through 5, various embodimentsof auxiliary training assemblies are illustrated. Each auxiliarytraining assembly is removably connectable to one of the plurality ofsupport structures, such as to the first support structure 12, secondsupport structure 14 and/or any other suitable support structure of thesystem 10.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate embodiments of an auxiliary training assembly100. The auxiliary training assembly 100 is removably connectable to oneof the plurality of support structures, such as to the support member 22thereof. For example, auxiliary training assembly 100 may include asleeve 102 and a fastener 104. Sleeve 102 may be connected to othercomponents of the auxiliary training assembly 100, such as a frame 106thereof and may when assembled with the support structure generallysurround the support member 22 thereof. Fastener 104 may be manipulatedby a user to removably fasten the sleeve 102, and thus the auxiliarytraining assembly 100, to the support member 22. Manipulation of thefastener 104 to un-fasten the sleeve 102 may allow adjustment of theauxiliary training assembly 100 relative to the support member 22 and/ordisassembly thereof.

As mentioned, auxiliary training assembly 100 includes a frame 106. Inexemplary embodiments as illustrated, frame 106 is generally ringshaped, although any suitable generally polygonal shape may be utilized.Assembly 100 may further include a net 108, which may extend from theframe 106. Net 108 may, for example, have a generally tubular shape,which a first end 110 connected to the frame 106 and a second end 112spaced from and not connected to the frame 106. Further, the first end110 and second end 112 may each define an aperture, as illustrated.Alternatively, however, second end 112 may for example be generallyclosed. Accordingly, auxiliary training assembly 100 may be utilized totrain accuracy when throwing a pass directly to a target. A participantmay, for example, throw a football through the frame 106. The net 108may slow the rate of travel of the football as it travels therethrough,until the football drops out of the second end 112 of the net 108 (inthe embodiments illustrated) or contacts the closed second end 112 andbecomes trapped in the net 108.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the auxiliary training assembly100 further includes a plurality of indicator lights 120. Each indicatorlight 120 may be actuatable on and off, for example, to emit a lighttherefrom. In some embodiments, the lights 120 may be actuatable via,for example, a timer which may be disposed within the auxiliary trainingassembly 100 or included in the system 10 generally. In otherembodiments, as illustrated the assembly 100 may further include aremote 122. The remote 122 may be in communication with the plurality ofindicator lights 120, such as via a receiver 124. For example, remote122 may be in such connection through a suitable wired or wirelessconnection. The remote 122 may be operable to actuate the plurality ofindicator lights 120. For example, actuation of the remote 122 may senda signal to the receiver 124, which may be in communication with andoperable to control actuation of the lights 120. Accordingly, remote 122may be utilized to turn the lights 120 on and off, as desired. Thisallows for a participant to be trained in the quick and accurate releaseof a football. For example, two or more auxiliary training assemblies100 can be set up using two or more support structures. FIG. 4illustrates two auxiliary training assemblies 100, along with a singleremote 122 that actuates the lights 120 on both assemblies. Theparticipant may be instructed to throw the football at whicheverauxiliary training assembly 100 lights up. A coach or other participantmay selectively operate the remote to actuate the lights 120 on one ofthe training assemblies 100, and may monitor the quickness and accuracyof the participant in throwing the football to that assembly 100.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of an auxiliary training assembly200. The auxiliary training assembly 200 is removably connectable to oneof the plurality of support structures, such as to the support member 22thereof. For example, auxiliary training assembly 200 may include asleeve 202 and a fastener 204. Sleeve 202 may be connected to othercomponents of the auxiliary training assembly 200, such as a frame 206or pivot rod 210 (as shown) thereof, and may when assembled with thesupport structure generally surround the support member 22 thereof.Fastener 204 may be manipulated by a user to removably fasten the sleeve202, and thus the auxiliary training assembly 200, to the support member22. Manipulation of the fastener 204 to un-fasten the sleeve 202 mayallow adjustment of the auxiliary training assembly 200 relative to thesupport member 22 and/or disassembly thereof.

As mentioned, auxiliary training assembly 200 includes a frame 206, inexemplary embodiments as illustrated, frame 106 is generallyrectangular, such as a rounded rectangle as illustrated, although anysuitable generally polygonal shape may be utilized. Assembly 200 mayfurther include a net 208, which may extend from the frame 206. Asillustrated, for example, an outer perimeter of the net 208 may beconnected to the frame 206 such that the net 208 generally forms abasket. Accordingly, auxiliary training assembly 200 may be utilized totrain accuracy when throwing a fade pass to a target. A participant may,for example, throw a football in a high arc, in an attempt to land thefootball in the net 208.

In some embodiments, auxiliary training assembly 200 may further includea pivot rod 210 which is connected to the frame 206, such as by aplurality of brackets 212. The frame 206 may be pivotable about the rod210, such as due to rotation of the brackets 212 about the rod 210.Accordingly, the auxiliary training assembly 200 can be adjusted tovarious angles, which may for example increase the difficulty of landinga football in the net 208 or change the trajectory at which aparticipant has to throw the football to successfully land the footballin the net 208.

It should be understood that the sports training system of the presentdisclosure may include any suitable number of auxiliary trainingassemblies. Each auxiliary training assembly may be removablyconnectable to one or more support structures. For example, an exemplarysystem 10 may include a first support structure 12 and a second supportstructure 14, along with a main training assembly 50. Such system 10 inexemplary embodiments may further include one or more auxiliary trainingassemblies, such as auxiliary training assembly 100 and/or auxiliarytraining assembly 200. Further, in some embodiments, additional supportstructures may be included. Advantageously, the various components ofsystem 10 can be utilized to train multiple participants and/or multiplethrowing skills. Further, the components of system 10 can be easily andefficiently assembled for use and disassembled for transport.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sports training system, comprising: a pluralityof support structures, each of the plurality of support structurescomprising a base and a support member extending generally along alongitudinal axis from the base, the plurality of support structurescomprising a first support structure and a second support structure; amain training assembly removably connectable to the first supportstructure and the second support structure, the main training assemblycomprising a cross-member and an indicator assembly extending from thecross-member; and at least one auxiliary training assembly removablyconnectable to one of the plurality of support structures.
 2. The sportstraining system of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a plurality ofadjustable legs.
 3. The sports training system of claim 1, wherein alength of the support member is adjustable generally along thelongitudinal axis.
 4. The sports training system of claim 1, wherein themain training assembly is removably connectable to the support membersof the first support structure and the second support structure.
 5. Thesports training system of claim 1, wherein the cross-member comprises afirst section and a second section, the first section removablyconnectable to the first support structure, the second section removablyconnectable to the second support structure, the first section and thesecond section removably connectable together.
 6. The sports trainingsystem of claim 1, wherein the indicator assembly comprises anattachment strip and a plurality of indicator strips suspended from theattachment strip.
 7. The sports training system of claim 6, wherein eachof the plurality of indicator strips is formed from a plastic.
 8. Thesports training system of claim 1, wherein the indicator assembly isremovably attachable to the cross-member.
 9. The sports training systemof claim 1, wherein the auxiliary training assembly is removablyconnectable to the support member of the one of the plurality of supportstructures.
 10. The sports training system of claim 1, wherein theauxiliary training assembly comprises a frame and a net extending fromthe frame.
 11. The sports training system of claim 10, wherein the netcomprises a first end connected to the frame and a second end spacedfrom the frame, the first end and the second end each defining anaperture.
 12. The sports training system of claim 10, wherein the frameis generally ring-shaped.
 13. The sports training system of claim 10,wherein the auxiliary training assembly further comprises a plurality ofindicator lights connected to the frame.
 14. The sports training systemof claim 13, wherein the auxiliary training assembly further comprises aremote in communication with the plurality of indicator lights, theremote operable to actuate the plurality of indicator lights.
 15. Thesports training system of claim 10, wherein an outer perimeter of thenet is connected to the frame.
 16. The sports training system of claim10, wherein the frame is generally rectangular.
 17. The sports trainingsystem of claim 10, wherein the auxiliary training assembly furthercomprises a pivot rod and a plurality of brackets, each of the pluralityof brackets connecting the frame to the pivot rod such that the frame ispivotable about the pivot rod.
 18. A sports training system, comprising:a first support structure, the first support structure comprising a baseand a support member extending generally along a longitudinal axis fromthe base, the support member having an adjustable length; a secondsupport structure, the second support structure comprising a base and asupport member extending generally along a longitudinal axis from thebase, the support member having an adjustable length; and a maintraining assembly removably connectable to the first support structureand the second support structure, the main training assembly comprisinga cross-member and an indicator assembly extending from thecross-member, the indicator assembly comprising an attachment strip anda plurality of indicator strips suspended from the attachment strip. 19.The sports training system of claim 18, further comprising at least oneauxiliary training assembly removably connectable to one of the firstsupport structure or the second support structure.
 20. The sportstraining system of claim 19, wherein the at least one auxiliary trainingassembly is a plurality of auxiliary training assemblies.